PRESTON cyclist Steve Woods got more than he bargained for when he told Halfords he was cycling through Kenya for charity.

For kind-hearted store bosses handed him a £500 bike, all the gear to go with it -- and a 24-hour helpline for any problems he encounters while on the trip.

Steve saw an article in the Citizen appealing for people to take up the challenge to raise funds for SCOPE. He said: I've done sponsored bike rides before but this one is going to be a real challenge. I leave in February so thankfully, I have time to train. And sponsor money has been flooding in -- I've already collected around £1,500."

Russ Brown, cycle supervisor at Halfords, added: "We have given Steve a full aluminium Carrera Banshee which will help him get over any terrain he may encounter in Kenya. It's a good cause that he is raising cash for so we were more than willing to supply him with the gear and we wish him all the best."